As I found out last year -- there are two things missing from Autumn in Normandy. Although we have the chilly weather, loads of apples (and 'cidre'!) and eventually even a bit of fall-foliage color -- Halloween is only done very small scale -- and Thanksgiving is non-existent (mais bien sur!) But being a fall-gal (now 'half-French' or not!) I need these things to really fully feel 'at home'.... So we are planning a little 'Fête de Halloween' this weekend for our neighborhood friends at our house and yesterday I made some decorations for the front door on a gorgeous sunny, cool day... while sipping hot chai-tea (sent by my best-best belle-amie in a surprise birthday package) and I have to tell you I completely fell head-over-heals into the 'Autumn Spirit'.... as if I was not already there!
Now I just need to sort out Thanksgiving -- I will be recruiting ex-pats to join us for a dinner, planning to spring the kids from school for the day and beginning my search 'a toute de suite' for a whole turkey (not a breast, leg or roast---a whole one! Not easy to find at all!)
In the meantime--my new greatest addiction is homemade yogurt. Believe me when I say it is the easiest thing to make on the planet--especially since we have UHT milk here so there is not need to heat the milk first...oh and yes--although I know it's not necessary--I do use a yogurt 'machine' which is a small version of a crock-pot....'French Guy' brought it home and I love the press-the-button-and-walk-away convenience of it.
I have been meaning to bake up some of the gigantic (softball size!) organic apples we have brought home from la ferme at the chateau and we need to drop over there this evening to see if they have the cher-tradtional pumpkins (also not easy to find!) So wish us luck -- sometimes living in France and recreating home traditions is like a treasure hunt!
Hope you are also having a fabulous week! A bientot mes amis!
2 comments:
When I was there a few weeks ago we went to dinner at a friends' house and she too made homemade yogurt. I so want to get a yogurt maker - have to check into that here.. oohhh - and with honey - divine!
xx
I had a yogurt maker in the US but I lost interest in it when I was temporarily on a 'dairy-free' diet...after that, buying a tub of organic vanilla seemed just as easy--but now I am totally a convert (and here I also use the same type of simple yogurt maker...it came with GLASS jars--that's important when you are shopping for one by the way!) I think a good yogurt maker starts around $40 in the US and here they are about 15 euro.
Honey or maple syrup -- I am addicted--I eat about 3 a day! Bon appetit!
Merci for your comment mon amie!
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